Guide mechanism



Oct. 23, 19 34. T. F. BANIGAN GUIDE MECH M Filed Dec. 5, 1929 2 sheets sheet l QR My Oct. 23, 1934. "r, F. BANIGAN GUIDE MECHANI SM Filed Dec, 5, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet ;%INVENTOR MZ ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 23; 1934 UNITED STATES- 1,977,611 GUIDE MECHANISM Thomas F. Banigan, Buffalo, N. Y., assignor to Du Pont Rayon Company, New .YorhN. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application December 5, 1929, Serial atures 11 Claim.

This invention. relates to machines for producing artificial threads and more particularly to a guiding mechanism to cause and control the lateral displacement of a thread wrapped one or more times around a wheel and to prevent the thread from riding on itself.

In spinning ihreads produced from viscose, increased strength can be obtained by stretching the threads in the course of their manufacture. This stretch has been obtained by applying a tension to the threads and various devices have been employed to produce it. In the case of the bucket process the stretch has been obtained by means of positively driven wheels having different circumferential speeds. In the bobbin process it has been produced by a positively driven wheel cooperating withthe bobbin, the wheel and bobbin having difierent circumferential speeds. When a considerable stretch is applied between the two wheels or between the wheel and bobbin. there is a tendency for,

the thread to slip on the wheels; This slipp e results in a non-uniform stretch and in the production of threads having non-uniform tenacity, denier and dyeing properties.

Apparatus and processes have been designed to correct this slippage by increasing the arc of contact of the thread on the wheel. In many cases the thread was wrapped one or more times around the wheel. In such set-ups devices have been used to cause the lateral displacement of the thread and thus prevent the thread from chafing or riding on itself. Heretofore, these devices consisted of fixed or rotary guides located near the wheel and over which the thread passes before it began its second wrap on the wheel.

The rotary devices used prior to this invention consisted of a simple grooved wheel rotating on an axle. This device was not entirely satisfactory. The thread coming from the coagulafing bath usually had a quantity of coag-, ulating bath liquid adhering thereto. The retation of the device produced a spray of this liquid which was hazardous to the operator. Also, this spray was thrown on the parts of the machine whereby a destructive action was occasioned. The cakes of artificial silk were also coniaminated by the reaction products of the coagulating bath liquor and the metal surfaces.

Another disadvantage in the rotary guide used prior to this invention consisted in the production of uneven friction. This was due to the practice of the spinnerof carrying the thread around the device to lay it into the groove, completely missing the groove and allowing the thread to wrap around the axle, resulting in wraps which interfered with the free movement of the device and consequently introduced unnecessary and uneven friction in the device.

I have found that I can overcome. the abovementioned defects by providing a device to be used in combination with a wheel forming a part of the stretching mechanism and comprising a roller having a smooth surface and provided with a housing and drip connection, whereby the spray of the coagulating medium and/or drip is caught and returned to the coagulating bath.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a guide mechanism to cause the lateral displacement of a thread wrapped one or more times around a wheel constituting one part of the stretching mechanism} and prevent the thread from riding on itself; comprising a roller rotatabiy mounted and having a smooth body surface.

Another object of this invention is to provide a guide mechanism to cause the lateral displacement of a thread wrapped one or more times around a wheel constituting one part of a stretching mechanism and prevent the thread from riding on itself, comprising a roller rotatably mounted and having a smooth uniform body surface, one end of said roller provided with a flange and cooperating with a guard or housing.

A further object of this invention is to provide a guide mechanism to cause the lateral dis- 1 placement of a thread wrappedv one or more times around a wheel constituting one part of a stretching mechanism and prevent thethread from riding on itself, comprising a roller rotatably mounted and having a frusto-conical body, the surface of which is smooth, and means to collect the spray and/or drip, together with means to conduct said spray and drip to the coagulating liquor bath.

Additional objects will appear from the following description, appended claims and ac-' companying drawings forming a part of this.

specification and in which:-

Figure 1 illustrates a front elevation of one modification of a set-up including the'lfeed wheel and the guiding mechanism comprising this invention.

Figure 2 is an end view of the set-up illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a vertical section of one form of roller of the guiding mechanism.

Figure 4 is a front elevation of a modified form of a housing or guard.

Figure 5 is a front elevation of the housing or guard, the roller being removed.

Figure 6 is a modification of the housing on uard illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 together with a roller.

Figure 7 diagrammatically iflustrates a set-up employing a plurality of wheels for stretching a thread and guiding mechanisms cooperating with said wheels.

Referring to the drawings in which like reference numerals designate like parts, the reference numeral 1 designates a wheel which draws the thread 2 from the coagulating bath and constituting one part of a stretching mechanism, provided on one end with a flange 3. This wheel is of the usual type found in bucket spinning machines and is mounted on the frame of the machine in the well-known manner (not shown). Disposed beneath this wheel and mounted on the frame (not shown) is the guiding mechanism constituting this invention. This mechanism comprises a roller 4 loosely mounted on an axle 5, so that it may freely rotate. The roller 4 may be made of any suitable material, such as glass, hard rubber, pyroxylin, bakelite, or a similar material. It may be solid or hollow. In the latter case, provision must be made for the mounting on the axle. In the drawings and especially in Figure 3, one form of a roller is illustrated which has given satisfactory results. This roller is provided at one end, which is solid except for a bore 5' through which the roller is mounted on the axle 5, with a flange 6. The other end of the roller is free and the portion adjacent thereto hollow. The body 7 thereof is characterized by a smooth surface. Preferably, also the body is frusto-conical in shape as illustrated in the drawings. The axle 5 on which the roller is disposed is formed of any suitable material, preferably glass, and is rigidly and securedly mounted in a bearing 8 extending from the rear face 9 of the guard or housing 10, the latter being secured in any suitable manner, as by screws 11, to a block 12. The guard 10 is circular in shape and may be provided with a circular boss 13 through which the axle 5 extends. The ribs 14 extending from the face of the boss serve as spray collectors and divert the spray to the grooves 15 formed in the boss 13, and preferably adjacent the ribs 14, whereby free access to the axle by liquid may be had. In the drawings only two ribs are illustrated. It is, of course, within the purview of the invention to use as many as desired. Around its periphery the housing ,or guard is formed with a flange 16 in which the flange 6 of the roller loosely fits. During operation this guard catches the spray of coagulating liquor produced by the rotation of the roller 4 and prevents it, to a substantial degree, from being distributed throughout the room and on the parts of the machine. If desired, the housing may be provided with means, such as a conduit 1'7, which communicates with said housing through the drain 18, whereby the liquid may be returned to the coagulating bath. To facilitate the draining, a gutter 19 may be provided which communicates with the drain. The upper face of the block 12 may be formed with a recess 20 whereby it may receive the drippings from the wheel and post guide 21 hereafter described and feed them back to the coagulating bath. Mounted on the block 12 is a bracket 22 which is formed with a post guide 21 for directing the thread on to the wheel .1 and which may be provided witha sleeve 21", if desired. I

Instead of mounting the post guide 21 on the block 12, it. may be disposed on the housing as in a bearing 23, as illustrated in Figure 4. Also, if desired, the drippings from the post guide may be conducted to the interior of the housing and thence to the conduit 17. With this in view the housing 10 (see Figure 4) is provided with a drainage passage 24 adjacent the post guide 21 through which the drippings pass to the interior of the housing.

In many instances, while the thread is on the wheel 1, the coagulating liquor adhering to the thread drips on to the housing 10 and scatters. To avoid this the housing may be so constructed that these drippings are caught and conducted back to the coagulating bath and lubricate the axle. In Figure 4 one embodiment of such a construction is shown. It comprises a channel 25, formed in the periphery of the housing, communicating with a passage 26 extending to the boss 2'7 in which the axle is mounted. If desired, flanges 28 may be provided adjacent the channel 25 to aid in the catching and directing of the drippings to the passage 26.

The use of the post guide 21 depends on the direction which the thread 2 assumes in passing on the wheel 1. Thus, if the direction is substantially that illustrated in Figure 1 by the reference numerals 29 and 30, there is no need for the post guid'eand it may be omitted.

In operation, the thread 2, as it issues from the coagulating bath, is under tension. When a post guide is used, the thread passes up behind the said post guide, around the wheel 1 as illustrated in Figures '1 and 2, thence around the roller 4, again around the wheel 1 and down into the funnel 31 from which it is fed into the spinning bucket (not shown).

Instead of making the housing so that it will completely surround the flange 6, it may be so constructed that it will only partially surround said flange. .Such a guard or housing is illustrated in Figure 6. This housing 10 surrounds approximately one-half the circumference of the flange. In all other respects this housing is similar to that described above. It constitutes a bearing for the axle and is provided with a drain 18 and conduit 17', whereby the spray may be conducted back to the coagulating bath.

In the above description the guiding mechanism is described in combination with a single wheel. It is, of course, obvious that a plurality of wheels may be used and such an arrangement is used when a stretching of the thread between said wheels is desired. It is to be understood that the disposition of the wheels 32 and 32 relative to each other is not essential to the successful operation of the apparatus. The wheels 32 and 32' may be positioned in line, either horizontally or vertically, or at an angle to each other. In Figure '7 there is. illustrated a schematic arrangement of parts wherein a plurality of wheels is used to stretch the thread passing therebetween. The wheels 32 and 32' may be similar in structure to the wheel 1 described above, and the guide mechanisms 33 and 33' similar to the guide mechanism 4 above described.

If the wheels 32 and 32 are disposed horizontally in line or at an angle to each other, the thread passes on to the wheel 32' as indicated by lines 29 and 30. Thus, there is no necessity for a post guide and it may accordingly be omitted in such a set-up. The stretch of the thread between the wheels 32 and 32 is accomplished by imparting to the wheel 32' a peripheral speed greater than that of the wheel 32. This may be effected, if the wheels are of the same size,

by rotating the wheel 32 at a speed greater.

that that used for rotating the wheel 32. The difference in peripheral speeds may also be effected by employing wheels of different sizes. Though Figure 7 illustrates two wheels and two cooperating guide mechanisms, it is to be understood that this invention is not restricted to this specific number, since it is apparent that any number of wheels together with a corresponding number of guide mechanisms may be employed.

The expression smooth surface or equivalent as employed in the description and claims is intended to cover a plain surface which is not groovedand which is neither concave nor ing of the thread on itself, said guide mechanism comprising a roller rotatably mounted and havmg a frusto-conical body with a smooth surface.

2. In a spinning machine for producing artiflcial thread by tension or stretch spinning, .the combination of a wheel constituting one part of a stretching mechanism, and a guide mechanism to cause lateral displacement of a thread wrapped one or more times around said wheel and prevent riding of the thread on itself, said guide mechanism comprising a roller rotatably mounted, said roller having a frusto-conical body with a smooth surface and a flange at one end thereof.

3. In a spinning machine for producing artiflcial thread by tension or stretch spinning, the combination of a wheel constituting one part of a stretching mechanism, and a guide mechanism to cause lateral displacement of a thread wrapped one or more times around said wheel and prevent riding of the thread on itself, said guide mechanism comprising a rotatably mounted roller and a housing cooperating with said roller.

4. In a spinning machine for producing artificial thread by tension or stretch spinning, the combination of a wheel constituting one part of a stretching mechanism, and a guide mechanism to cause the lateral displacement of a thread wrapped one or more times around said wheel and prevent riding of the thread on itself, said guide mechanism comprising a housing, a shaft in said housing, a roller on said shaft, and means in said housing for conducting drippings to said shaft for the lubrication thereof. 5. In a spinning machine for producing artiflcial thread by tension or stretch spinning the combination of a wheel constituting one part of a stretching mechanism, and a guide mechanism to cause lateral displacement of a thread wrapped one or more times around said wheel and prevent riding of the thread on itself, said guide mechanism comprising a rotatably mounted roller and a housing cooperating with said roller to receive the spray and drip, and means to return said-spray and drip from said housing to the coagulating bath.

6. In a machine for producing artificial thread by tension or stretch spinning, the combination of a wheel constituting one part of a stretchinglateral displacement wheel and prevent rid- 'thread by tension or mechanism, and a guide mechanism to cause lateral displacement of a thread wrapped one or more times around said wheel and prevent riding of the thread on itself, said guide mechanism comprising a roller rotatably mounted and having a smooth body surface, and a housing cooperating with said roller.

7. In a machine for producing artiflcial thread by tension or stretch spinning, the combination of a wheel constituting one part of a stretching mechanism, and a guide mechanism to cause of a thread wrapped one or moreytimes .around said wheel and prevent riding of the thread on itself, said guide mechanism comprising a housing, a shaft in said housing, a roller rotatably mounted on said shaft and having a frustoconical body with a smooth surface, and means in said housing for conducting drippings to said shaft for the lubrication thereof.

8. In a spinning machine for producing artiflcial thread by tension or stretch spinning, the combination of a wheel constituting one part of a stretching mechanism, and a guide mechanism to cause lateral displacement of a thread wrapped one or more times around said wheel and prevent riding of the thread on itself, said guide mechanism comprising a roller rotatably mounted and having a smooth body surface, one end thereof being provided with a flange, a housing in which said flange is disposed.

9. In a spinning machine for producing artificial thread by tension or stretch spinning, the combination of a wheel constituting one part of a stretching mechanism, and a guide mechanism to cause lateral displacement of a thread wrapped one or more times around said wheel and prevent riding of the thread on itself, said guide mechanism comprising a roller rotatably mounted, said roller having a frusto-conical body with a smooth surface, a flange at one end thereof, and a housing in which said flange is disposed. 10. In a machine for producing artiflcial stretch spinning, the combination of a wheel constituting one part of a stretching mechanism, and a guide mechanism to cause lateral displacement of a thread wrapped one or more times around said wheel and prevent riding of the thread on itself, said guide mechanism comprising a roller rotatably mounted and having a smooth body surface, a housing cooperating with said roller to receive the spray and drip, and means to return said spray and drip from said housing to the comlating bath. 11. In a spinning machine for producing artiflcial thread by tension or stretch spinning, the combination of a wheel constituting one part of a stretching mechanism, mechanism to cause lateral displacement of a thread wrapped one or more times around said wheel and prevent riding of the thread on itself, said guide mechanism comprising a roller rotatably mounted and having a smooth body surface, one endthereof being provided with a flange, a housing in which said flange is disposed, and means to return the'spray and drip from said housing to the coagulating bath.

THOMAS 1". BANIGAN.

and a guide and 

